Union express fears for Arnish

Published:07:40Friday 03 July 2015

Share this article

GMB and Unite are reiterating their request for an urgent meeting with Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland First Minster in relation to contracts for the Burntisland Fabrications Limited three yards in Scotland - including Arnish Yard in Stornoway.

The yards, employing 2,500 workers at Burntisland and Methil in Fife and Arnish in Stornoway, build modules for the offshore oil and gas industry.

Dave Hulse, GMB National Officer, said: “We are disappointed that we have not had a response from the First Minister’s office to meet with the trade unions to discuss the current circumstances at the Burntisland Fabrications Limited three yards in Scotland.

“Contracts heavily supported by the Scottish Government are not being awarded to these yards and are going overseas instead.”

Bernard McCaulay, Unite national officer, said: “We call upon the First Minister to meet with the trade unions and management quickly to avoid these yards being mothballed. We must protect the skills of those workers to pass on to future generations to maintain Scotland as world leader in delivering these major projects for the offshore industry clients.”